Handcuff case

ABSTRACT

A handcuff case that is worn on the belt and holds the handcuffs with the frame and jaw exposed so that the handcuffs may be immediately grasped and withdrawn for use by the wearer. The handcuff case is made of a single piece of leather or similar material folded and held together by a pair of snaps which also act as rivets. One of the snaps secures the handcuff case to the belt of the wearer, and the other snap releasably retains the handcuffs in position ready for use.

nit'ed States Patent 11 1 Theodore Mar. 11, 1975 HANDCUFF CASE 3583.61 1 61/1971 Theodore 24/: B Inventor: Paris Theodore, New York, NY 3.583.612 6/197] Theodore 3 1224/] B [73] Assignee: Seventrees, Ltd., New York, NY. Primary Exanziner-Robert J. Spar Assistant Examiner-Jerold M. Forsberg 7 Flled' 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Darby & Darby [21] Appl. No.: 421,973

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. 01. 224/2 F, 224/26 B A hahdcuff case that is worn on the belt and holds the 1511 Int. Cl. A45c 11/00, F41C 33/02 handcuffs with the frame and j exposed so that the [58] Field at Search 224/2 F, 2 B; 2 D, 2 E, handcuffs y be immediately grasped and Withdrawn 224/4 C 5 R, 5 A, 5 B, 2 R, 2 B for use by the wearer. The handcuff case is made of a single piece of leather or similar material folded and 5 References Cited held together by a pair of snaps which also act as riv- UNITED STATES PATENTS ets. One of the snaps secures the handcuff case to the belt of the wearer, and the other snap releasably re- 224/2 F UX tains the handcuffs in position ready for use. 31143362 8/1964 Sullivan 224/2 F 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures HANDCUFF CASE This invention relates to handcuff cases, more particularly a handcuff case of simpler construction and more convenient operation than heretofore known in the art.

It is well known that policemen and other peace officers are generally required to carry handcuffs in order to restrain potentially dangerous persons after they have been place under arrest. Handcuffs are often carried draped over the belt of the wearer, one cuff inside the waistband of the pants and the other cuff hanging loose on the outside. The disadvantages of this method of carrying handcuffs is that the loose cuff flops around, particularly when the wearer is running thus causing unnecessary noise and discomfort. Another disadvantage is that, when it is attempted to withdraw the handcuffs for use, the inside cuff may catch on the shirt or underwear. Still another disadvantage of this method of carrying handcuffs is that they may be jarred loose during intense activity and thus be unavailable to the peace officer at the very time that he most needs them.

Another conventional method of carrying handcuffs is in a closed pouch worn on the belt of the wearer. Such a pouch typically has a cover that is held in the closed position by a snap fastener. A disadvantage of the closed pouch is that the user must first unsnap the cover before withdrawing the handcuffs for use, thus increasing the possibility of fumbling at a moment of possible danger to the peace officer. In addition, the conventional type of handcuff pouch is of relatively complex and expensive construction requiring two or more pieces of leather, stitching, etc,

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved handcuff case which obviates the problems of the prior art.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a handcuff case of simplified construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a handcuff case which holds the handcuffs securely but allows them to be instantly withdrawn for use.

According to the above and other objects, the present invention provides a handcuff case that is worn on the belt and holds the handcuffs with frames and jaws exposed so that they may be readily grasped by the wearer for immediate use. In its preferred form, the present handcuff case is made of a single piece of leather or similar material folded and secured by a pair of snaps which also act as rivets. One snap secures the belt loop by which the handcuff case is attached to the belt of the wearer, and the other snap releasably retains the handcuffs within the case so that they may be with drawn for immediate use.

An advantage of the present invention is that the handcuffs are held in a position so that, after they are withdrawn from the case, they may be immediately snapped on the wrist of a dangerous person with no change in grip by the user.

Other objects and advantages of the present handcuff case will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth, by way of example, the principle of the present invention and the best mode contemplated for carrying out that principle.

In the Drawings FIG. 1 is a side-elevation view of the present handcuff case shown in position on the belt of a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevation view of the present handcuff case from the belt side with the belt loop opened and extended; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of the handcuff case shown in FIG. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate the preferred form of the subject handcuff case, generally designated 10, shown mounted on the belt 11. Handcuff case 10 is worn high on the belt 11 preferably just behind the left hip of the wearer. The handcuffs, generally designated 13, are held so that the frame portion 14 and jaw portion 15 of both cuffs are exposed so that they may be easily and quickly grasped by the left-hand of the wearer. The handcuff-enclosing pouch 12 of case 10 is angled forward about 30 to so that the handcuffs 13 may be withdraw in a forward direction corresponding to the natural motion of the hand of the wearer. Belt 11 serves to stabilize the case 10 and thus allow the handcuffs 13 to be smoothly withdrawn. By simply grasping the handcuffs 13 by their frame and jaw portions 14 and 15 and pulling them forward, the wearer causes retaining snap l6a,b to pop open, thus releasing the handcuffs 13 from case 10 which remains firmly mounted on belt 11.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a side-elevation view of the belt side of the handcuff case 10 with the belt loop snap 18a, 1817 open and the belt loop 20 extended. As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred form of the present handcuff case is made of a single piece of sheet material such as 6 /2 ounce leather or the like. The single piece of material extends from belt loop 20 through portion 21, the front end 22 and rear end 23 of the handcuff-enclosing pouch 12 to end 23 which lies adjacent to the belt of the wearer. End 23 of the piece of sheet material is riveted to the adjacent belt loop portion by snap fastener parts 16b and 18b.

The snap fasteners l6u,b and 180,11 may be of a conventional type, such as for example the Dot" fasteners made by the United Carr Fastener Corp. of New York, New York. Snap fastener 18a, b is preferably of the one-way" type, mounted so that it can be opened only by pulling tab 25 of belt loop 20 away from the handcuff carrying portion of case 10. The use of a oneway snap 18a,b provides an additional measure of security for handcuff case 10 because snap 18a,b will not open when the handcuff case 10 is tugged, pulled or twisted in an attempt to remove it from belt 11 (FIG. 1).

Snap 16:1,!) is preferably of the regular type that is capable of being released by being lifted in any direction. Hence, snap l6a,b can be released either by pulling the tab 26 away from the belt loop portion of handcuff case 10 (FIG. 1) or by pulling the handcuffs 13 so that the lock portions 28 (FIG. 3) wedge against the leather 29 to cause the snap fastener l6a,b to pop open Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, it is noted that the bottom 30 of handcuff case 10 is open to permit easy drainage of water and to avoid collection of moisture which might result in rust or corrosion of the handcuffs 13 or deterioration of the leather or other material used in the construction of the handcuff case 10. The leather or other material is preferably molded snugly to the lock portions 28 of the handcuffs 13 so as to hold the handcuffs 13 without slipping or rattling.

The simplified construction of the subject handcuff case 10 requires only a single piece of sheet material and a pair of snaps 16a,b and 18a,b which also act as rivets. No stitches are required. The simplicity of construction and the use of rivets rather than stitches provides a rugged, long-lasting handcuff case that is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.v

While the principles of the present invention have been illustrated by reference to a preferred embodiment of the handcuff case, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and adaptations may be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth with particularity in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A handcuff case comprising:

a piece of sheet material having a belt loop portion, a medial portion adjacent said belt loop portion and a handcuff-enclosing portion adjacent said medial portion, means for fastening said medial portion and a first part of said handcuff enclosing portion so as to form a pocket to enclose the lock portions of a set of handcuffs while leaving the frame and jaw portions of the handcuffs exposed to the grasp of the user;

a snap fastener having a first part and a second part releasably fastenable to said first part, said first part of said snap fastener being mounted on said medial portion of said sheet material, said second part of said fastener being mounted on an opposing part of said handcuff-enclosing portion for releasably fastening said handcuff-enclosing portion to said opposing part of said medial portion of said sheet material through the center of said handcuffs so as to retain the lock portions of the handcuffs in said pocket but allow the handcuffs to be withdrawn from said handcuff case by pulling the lock portions through said first and second parts of said snap fastener; and

means for releasably-fastening said belt loop portion of said sheet material to said medial portion to form a belt loop for securely holding said handcuff case in position on the belt of a wearer.

2. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein said means for fastening said medial portion and said first part of said handcuff-enclosing portion comprises said first part of said snap fastener.

3. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein said second releasable fastening means comprises a snap fastener.

4. The handcuff case of claim 3 wherein said second snap fastener comprises a one-way snap fastener.

5. The handcuff case of claim 3 .wherein a part of said second snap fastener is mounted so as to secure said handcuff-enclosing portion of said sheet material to said medial portion of said sheet material.

6. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein said belt loop holds said handcuff case high on the belt of the wearer.

7. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein the hand cuffs are held with frame and jaw portions angled forward 30 to 60 so that the handcuffs may be withdrawn from said case in a forward direction corresponding to the natural motion of the hand of the user.

8. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein the bottom of the handcuff lock enclosing portion of said case is open to provide easy drainage. 

1. A handcuff case comprising: a piece of sheet material having a belt loop portion, a medial portion adjacent said belt loop portion and a handcuffenclosing portion adjacent said medial portion, means for fastening said medial portion and a first part of said handcuff enclosing portion so as to form a pocket to enclose the lock portions of a set of handcuffs while leaving the frame and jaw portions of the handcuffs exposed to the grasp of the user; a snap fastener having a first part and a second part releasably fastenable to said first part, said first part of said snap fastener being mounted on said medial portion of said sheet material, said second part of said fastener being mounted on an opposing part of said handcuff-enclosing portion for releasably fastening said handcuff-enclosing portion to said opposing part of said medial portion of said sheet material through the center of said handcuffs so as to retain the lock portions of the handcuffs in said pocket but allow the handcuffs to be withdrawn from said handcuff case by pulling the lock portions through said first and second parts of said snap fastener; and means for releasably fastening said belt loop portion of said sheet material to said medial portion to form a belt loop for securely holding said handcuff case in position on the belt of a wearer.
 1. A handcuff case comprising: a piece of sheet material having a belt loop portion, a medial portion adjacent said belt loop portion and a handcuff-enclosing portion adjacent said medial portion, means for fastening said medial portion and a first part of said handcuff enclosing portion so as to form a pocket to enclose the lock portions of a set of handcuffs while leaving the frame and jaw portions of the handcuffs exposed to the grasp of the user; a snap fastener having a first part and a second part releasably fastenable to said first part, said first part of said snap fastener being mounted on said medial portion of said sheet material, said second part of said fastener being mounted on an opposing part of said handcuff-enclosing portion for releasably fastening said handcuff-enclosing portion to said opposing part of said medial portion of said sheet material through the center of said handcuffs so as to retain the lock portions of the handcuffs in said pocket but allow the handcuffs to be withdrawn from said handcuff case by pulling the lock portions through said first and second parts of said snap fastener; and means for releasably fastening said belt loop portion of said sheet material to said medial portion to form a belt loop for securely holding said handcuff case in position on the belt of a wearer.
 2. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein said means for fastening said medial portion and said first part of said handcuff-enclosing portion comprises said first part of said snap fastener.
 3. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein said second releasable fastening means comprises a snap fastener.
 4. The handcuff case of claim 3 wherein said second snap fastener comprises a one-way snap fastener.
 5. The handcuff case of claim 3 wherein a part of said second snap fastener is mounted so as to secure said handcuff-enclosing portion of said sheet material to said medial portion of said sheet material.
 6. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein said belt loop holds said handcuff case high on the belt of the wearer.
 7. The handcuff case of claim 1 wherein the handcuffs are held with frame and jaw portions angled forward 30* to 60* so that the handcuffs may be withdrawn from said case in a forward direction corresponding to the natural motion of the hand of the user. 